JFJ Expresses Regret for Attacks on the Police

Wednesday, August 4, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) wishes to express profound regret at the slaying of Special Constable James Lemmie who was shot and killed on Monday in Spanish Town and we commend the off duty police officer who reportedly engaged Lemmie’s killer. JFJ also extends its sympathies to the policeman who was injured in Clarendon during a police operation yesterday.

The loss of life of a police officer and the injury of another, especially in light of other recent police killings, demonstrate the dangerous conditions in which the police have to operate while on or off duty. As JFJ has stated in the past, an attack on police while lawfully performing their duties is an attack on law and order. We must as a nation bring an end to this senseless bloodletting and break the cycle of violence.

JFJ calls on the government and the police high command to take all possible measures to ensure that police officers are provided with all the necessary safety equipment before they are deployed on duty especially in volatile areas.

JFJ calls on the other members of the JCF to carry out full investigations into the death and injury of their colleagues and bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice while respecting and observing at all times proper human rights procedures. We also encourage persons with any information surrounding the deaths or injury of these policemen to support the police in any way possible.

JFJ extends its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen and injured members of the JCF.